Occupy Denver protesters take stock after jailed demonstrators are arraigned

Jennifer Ketterman was surprised Sunday when she arrived at Civic Center Park to take wedding photos at the amphitheater. Protesters from Occupy Denver were meeting there at the same time. (RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post)

With winter looming, Occupy Denver demonstrators are considering the future of their protest and show no sign of abandoning the action.

The group's leaders began discussing their next move this afternoon at a planning meeting of about 300 protestors in Civic Center Park. They've set their sights on protesting throughout the winter, but must decide whether to stay in the park or find space elsewhere that might provide shelter from the cold.

Several at the assembly equated vacating the park with "caving to the government" and clamored to stay put. Organizer Jeannie Hartley said many of the people who were forced out of their tents in Lincoln Park remain loyal to the location. But others are worried about below freezing temperatures are pushing for a spot - possibly on private land - where there's some type of indoor space.

By 8 p.m., their number had dwindled and about 30 leaders engaged in a meandering discussion about plans.

Lines of communication between the city and demonstrators continue to be open, said Amber Miller, a spokeswoman for Mayor Michael Hancock. "Our safety officials have been in contact with leadership from Occupy Denver throughout the week and we will continue to keep these lines of communication open."

Police arrested 49 people on Friday and Saturday. All but two have been released on bond that ranged from personal recognizance to $1,000, said Sheriffs Department spokesman Frank Gale. The two who remain in jail have warrants against them from other counties, he added.

Sunday was passing without trouble, said Police spokesman Det. John White.

"Things are going well. The group has been very cooperative and there have been no arrests and they are practicing their First Amendment rights as they have a right to," said White.

Demonstrators arrested Saturday night when police broke up a sit-in on Broadway and tore down protesters' dining tents were arraigned this morning. Three of those arrested were also taken to jail early Friday when police removed a tent city that had grown up around the protest on Broadway across from the Capitol. At a brief meeting around 12:30 p.m., Catherine Keffer, a member of Occupy Denver's legal team, gave protesters a run down on their legal situation.

More than 20 lawyers have volunteered to provide pro-bono aid to those arrested, Catherine Keffer, 29, a member of Occupy Denver's legal team, told the crowd.

Keffer said Occupy Denver, an offshoot of the Occupy Wall Street demonstrations in New York, has received donations from a member of the American Friends Service Committee and others. She was also collecting money from demonstrators to add to those contributions.

Denver police used pepper spray Saturday as they knocked down dining tents protesters had set up and several people were injured, Keffer said.

A 9News photographer got a whiff of pepper spray and a reporter inadvertantly got caught in a crowd and was hit by a police officer's baton, a KUSA reporter tweeted on Saturday.

Occupy protesters march along the 16th Street Mall on Saturday night. More photos. (Hyoung Chang, The Denver Post)

Since the Occupy Denver protest began, a young Mohawked protester, Justin "Crunchy" Gwin, has built four kitchens, now dubbed The Thunderdome after the Mad Max movies.

He used a meat cleaver to cobble together the first Thunderdome out of cardboard and duct tape. The following editions have been made with poster supplies and the most sturdy was made of wood.

On Saturday night, Gwin said police told him to tear down a tent version of the kitchen. He refused and riot police came back a half hour later and used pepper spray to clear out the area.

"I'll keep building them," Gwin said Sunday. "It's pretty cool. I get to build with Legos all day, then they come tear it down and clean it up for me."

Multiple demonstrators Sunday expressed sympathy for rank and file police ordered to manage the protesters. Others said they hadn't seen an over reaction by police. "They're just doing their jobs. Some of them hate it. Some are enjoying it. I didn't see excessive force," said Justin M., who fell on hard times in Casper Wyo. and trekked to Denver. The demonstrations have resulted in a mobilization of officers. White said it will be a few days before the amount of overtime pay required is known.

The demonstrations have resulted in a mobilization of officers. White said it will be a few days before the amount of overtime pay required is known.

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